Interview: WAYNE LOZINAK of HATEBREED on the vision and process behind eighth studio album WEIGHT OF THE FALSE SELF, the current scene and more.
With more than two decades of music under their belts, Connecticut metalcore/hardcore icons HATEBREED will release their eighth studio album WEIGHT OF THE FALSE SELF, on November 27th, 2020 via Nuclear Blast.
Alessandra had a fabulous opportunity to have a chat with guitarist WAYNE LOZINAK who took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss the highly-anticipated full-length. In this interview we’ve explored the relatable themes related to the human sphere and emotional struggles and the main vision behind the record.
We also talked about the collaboration with producer Zeuss, how the band has achieved a new level of sound and what kind of progression has been taking place in this record as opposed to previous effort THE CONCRETE CONFESSIONAL dating back to 2016. We discussed the most experimental track on Weight Of The False Self and the key to the band’s success across more than two decades of music and eight records. Wayne also shared his point of view on, the current metal scene, the US and European fan bases, the personal growth, how the band is currently adjusting in the current pandemic scenario and more.
For our review (Italian) of WEIGHT OF THE FALSE SELF please check out: www.sickandsound.it/hatebreed-la-nuova-arma-di-distruzione-di-massa-in-formato-blindato-weight-of-the-false-self.
- Hello Wayne, congratulations for achieving your eighth studio album WEIGHT OF THE FALSE SELF set to be released in November. The record seems to translate the emotional struggles that human beings are carrying along with them in life as burdens. Since the subjects you’re exploring in the record seem to be relatable in the contemporary world, I would love to discuss with you some of the specific themes and the main vision or concept behind the record.
Jamey is definitely the main lyricist, he writes all the lyrics, so these are all his. So definitely coming from his mind, but this was all started actually before the pandemic, everything was recorded. The record has been finished since January actually. So it’s kind of fitting how it’s been released now. Just seeing the way the world is these days. You know, the US is pretty divided right now as I’m sure you’ve seen and it’s mostly just trying to keep yourself positive through everything and just do what’s best for what you think it’s right, what you feel you should do and try to overcome any obstacles that people would have, personal burdens, emotional struggles and pain.
- Your record was produced and mixed by Zeuss. I would love to know more about the experience you had working with this producer and how the collaboration was set up in the first place.
He’s actually been the main producer for the band for probably over fifteen years now. And he’s a good friend of ours too, so it’s always easy to work with him. He knows how to bring out the best in us and he’ll tell us if something doesn’t sound right or we should change something. I think on this one, he really brought out the best of my guitar, this is the best one, I think yet, that my guitar sounds really extra full, heavy and clear. We’ve worked on that a lot. And it’s just really easy and everything he does sounds great. I love working with him.
- WEIGHT OF THE FALSE SELF is following up your latest record THE CONCRETE CONFESSIONAL dating back to 2016. So what kind of progression has been taking place as opposed to your previous materials and how have you achieved a new level of sound?
Actually, on this one we definitely beefed up the guitar and we’ve even added a couple more tracks just to make it sound thicker and blended a couple of different amps. I really think the sound came our really good on this one. Plus there’s a few songs on here which are a little more technical I would say than some of the other songs. We still have the same basic formula that we’ve always had on the albums, but I think in this one there’s a few more guitar solos, that we normally don’t have.
- What’s the most experimental song on this album and why?
I think probably Cling To Life, it’s very different than most of all the other songs. It’s kind of slower, but it also has a longer solo than the others. Normally I would just put like something kinda quick in there, just to break it up. This one has almost like a slower, melodic starting out solo and it kinda goes faster towards the end.
- With more than two decades of music under your belt, HATEBREED are a massive inspiration for breakout bands in the metal scene. What was the key to the band’s success across more than 25 years of music and 8 records Wayne?
I think it was just staying true to the original style and just keep going, just don’t stop, just play as many shows as possible, no matter what. Just keep the band going and as long as our fans keep coming to the shows, we’ll keep playing.
- What’s different between your American fan base and your European fan base, in terms of live experience?
Actually, everywhere it’s different, even in the US between different States you go to. But the European seem, I would say, almost more passionate about the music and they don’t complain as much as I guess some of the American fans would. They travel and they show up. Some of them travel like really far, like to different countries just to come and see us, which is great.
- I would love to know you point of view on the current metal scene. How important is it to evolve beyond metal as many bands are doing nowadays for whatever reasons, or how important is it to stick to your signature sound?
I think that everyone, any band pretty much do what makes them happy and not trying worry about what other bands are doing so as long as it’s still going, as long as you’re playing real instruments and it’s not like you’re pressing buttons on a laptop like most of these pop artists are doing, as long as you’re playing heavy music and that sounds good to you and you’re happy with it, I think that just what’s everyone should do to keep it going.
- What’s next for HATEBREED and how are you adjusting in the current pandemic scenario with touring and stuff?
We had actually a world tour planned for this whole year, that was to start in March with Parkway Drive, than all of that got cancelled and shifted to next year but who knows when the touring is actually gonna start. So right now we’ve actually just released our own beer from a local brewery so we’re having like a couple of events every now and then, kinda like beer tasting events / listen to our music, and you know take pictures and autographs and all that stuff. So that’s really all we can do at the moment but hopefully we can start playing again in some kind of capacity.
- One last question for you. In what measure have you changed as individual being and musician across your long career with Hatebreed?
I would say definitely a little more open minded to different styles of music and guitar playing. You know, when we started we were pretty basic and straightforward. We were just playing simple straight up hardcore songs without going too “fancy”, I guess you could say. Let’s say just incorporating slightly a little more technical stuff these days as opposed to the old days.
Wayne this is over, thank you so much for your time. All the best for the promotion of your record and success for your future endeavours.
Thank you very much.
HATEBREED – WEIGHT OF THE FALSE SELF tracklisting:
1. Instinctive (Slaughterlust)
2. Let Them All Rot
3. Set It Right (Start With Yourself)
4. Weight Of The False Self
5. Cling To Life
6. A Stroke Of Red
7.Dig Your Way Out
8. This I Earned
9. Wings Of The Vulture
10. The Herd Will Scatter
11. From Gold To Gray
12. Invoking Dominance
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